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Property/DIY

Are you supposed to tip the removal men?

36 replies

TheCrackFox · 15/09/2009 13:55

Title says it all really.

Anyway, I am moving on Friday (crapping myself TBH) and we have decided to treat ourselves to a proper removal firm. Previously, we have always done it ourselves but that was before 2 DCs.

Any advice about how to keep the removal men happy would be much appreciated.

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somewhathorrified · 15/09/2009 14:10

Keep them in tea/coffee, biscuits is a bonus, do this and they'll love you. Apart from that sit back and enjoy, they are getting paid already!

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TheCrackFox · 15/09/2009 14:15

Thanks for replying. I can do tea and biscuits and I will push the boat out and buy some digestives.

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FabBakerGirlIsBack · 15/09/2009 14:16

We tipped them about £15 to get a drink.

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TheCrackFox · 15/09/2009 15:31

I was thinking along those lines FBG. There is no way I am doing a 10% tip (really running out of money) but something for the pub always goes down well.

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PfftTheMagicDragon · 15/09/2009 15:31

I bought a pack of beers for them at the end of the day. I also kept them in snacks and drinks throughout the day.

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MaryBS · 15/09/2009 15:34

Ours went "over and above", staying late until it was all unloaded, rather than coming back the next day. So we gave them some packs of beer and bought them fish and chips.

And kept the tea/coffee flowing!

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CMOTdibbler · 15/09/2009 15:37

Tea, coffee and biscuits are all they really expect. We haven't tipped them either time, but tbh, those have both been long distance moves and they were keen to get back to base, and we had no time to think about it

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TheCrackFox · 15/09/2009 15:37

Well thanks to DH there is never any shortage of beer in this house.

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admylin · 15/09/2009 15:44

I've moved so many times and I somehow always tip them even last time when the one man show we employed didn't do much and left most of the carrying to dh because he was exhausted due to traffic and it was a really long drive.

They always had their own tea in flasks and own sandwiches. I gave the last one a tenner to stop and get a coffee on the motorway.

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AnnieOneForTennis · 15/09/2009 15:49

DH used to work in removals (well, actually antiques and fine arts, but the occasional house move) and they get paid very little for the amount of humping they have to do (his words). He used always be pleased when someone slipped him a tenner (or a 20 if in Notting Hill!). They have to split it though. But beer money is good enough. He also sometimes came home with things the movers didn't want, eg a baby bjorn sling, a bookcase, a box of wine () and various books and crockery.

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FabBakerGirlIsBack · 15/09/2009 15:52

When ours was packing up for us they were fab. My PFB was about 4-5 months old and had a red cheek. I panicked and they moved their huge truck in about 3 seconds so I could get him to the doctor.

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ouchitreallyhurts · 15/09/2009 20:23

Ours told us that they stop getting paid at 6pm but were still expected to finish the job. they'd been so good - as well as friendly and helpful which made all the difference so we tipped them, gave them some beer, bought fish and chips and kept the tea/coffee going.
the previous lot that moved us were miserable as anything so it was nice to get happy cheerful ones!

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Rebeccaj · 15/09/2009 20:36

We gave each of our packers/removal guys a tenner. They were polite and helpful, and did a great job, so buying them a few beers seemed appropriate!

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SingingBear · 15/09/2009 20:40

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Pannacotta · 15/09/2009 20:46

I have tipped them both times we moved. I think we gave them about £50 between them, there were around 4-5 blokes I think.
I think they are quite poorly paid, so appreciate the extra.
I also made sure they had lots of tea and choc bicsuits.

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ABetaDad · 15/09/2009 20:55

We gave a cash tip equal to about 10% of the removal bill and supplied intravenous coffee and biscuits on demand.

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TheCrackFox · 15/09/2009 21:01

They must have loved you ABetaDad.

Tea, biscuits, beer and £20 is my limit.

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allaboutme · 15/09/2009 21:05

My Dad and brother ae removal men.
They love people who pack away the kettle and biscuits LAST so they get tea and biscuits all day and quite often they either get bought sandwiches etc if working through lunch or working into the evening which is appreciated.
Money as a tip doesnt need to be more than £20 - more than that is unusual (but wouldnt be turned down!)

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SingingBear · 16/09/2009 22:47

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BuckRogers · 16/09/2009 23:07

I think we gave them £100 and there was 4 of them. No tea of coffee though. I had 3 kids to move!

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PortAndLemon · 16/09/2009 23:10

We tipped them £20 each last time -- there were four of them and they'd worked on our move all day from 8.30am to nearly 8pm (and we were only moving half a mile, so most of that was loading and unloading) remaining charming and good-humoured throughout.

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PortAndLemon · 16/09/2009 23:12

(Feel stingy now, but it was a while ago)

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aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 17/09/2009 20:50

I gave ours £20 each - they were absolute stars on a really stressful day.
They worked nonstop from 7.30am until 8pm.
We had loads of stuff and the house we moved into didn't have the easiest access but they didn't moan and were lovely a tower of strength all day.

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neversaydie · 18/09/2009 11:21

I have always supplied tea, coffee biscuits and a tip. BUT I have more books than is really reasonable, and they have always packed for me (and been really helpful).

The way I see it, is that they are probably not particularly well paid and it is a hard physical job. I have never had a crew that hasn't been helpful. My policy would probably change if they were unhelpful, though!

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sooz1950 · 23/02/2017 12:35

I can't believe what I am reading here with tipping and feeding removal men, who work hard all day long. Amazing that anyone would think tea/coffee and biscuits would sustain men doing such a hard working job. I make loads of chicken sandwiches and I tip each man £30 not £10! Think about it, £10 tip REALLY?

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